Feeling l ike a fish out of water

Chris and I went to Target today for a bike lock. The local bike store was closed, and we needed to pick up a couple grocery items, so this seemed like the natural store to go to.

I can't remember the last time I bought anything from Target, if that gives you any indication on my shopping habits. I consider the local Target to be a magnet for stay-at-home moms who drive a Yukon/Suburban/Tahoe/minivan who drags her 3 blonde kids into the store screaming and crying while mommy gets a few items on the cheap. (Sorry, I'm usually not one for stereotypes, but that nails the one I live near).

So needless to say, it's been a while.

Chris and I walked in and I couldn't believe how much stuff was in the store. Stuff. That's exactly what it is. Every color towel. Every kind of makeup. 50 different kinds of TP. A dozen kinds of bike locks. I just felt so...American consumer... in that store. It was weird, and I didn't like it.

From now on, I'll stick to purchasing items at my local stores that are owned by local people. Because "A dollar spent in a locally owned business is worth three times as much to the local economy as one spent in a chain store." Sierra Club blog